Beautiful gardens,very immaculately kept,the hidden waterfall seating area was enticingly welcome. Tickets bought at the sawmill Cafe across from the gardens themselves.

We visited with our do on a beautiful, warm day. The house was not open but the grounds are the star of this particular show. The gardens especially the bee garden appear as hidden treasures as you travel the route. We detoured to the small Church on the banks of Bassenthwaite Lake, which is well worthwhile. We sat lakeside for a while in total isolation and walked back to via the woodland. Really great way to spend an afternoon,

We were staying in nearby accommodation and decided to spend a few hours out and about with our kids We found this on Google and seemed like a great place with nice walks, playground, toilets and a small cafe. Parking available,up to £12 for a full day. You need to purchase the ground and house entry tickets from the old saw mill cafe. We got a coffee and walked down to the Lake, then eat our picknic within the grounds and spent a little time in the onsite play area. Afterwards we did the Blue circular walk, fairly steep hill up and down, but our 6-9 year olds managed well enough. Great spot for spending a few hours in nature.

I found myself approaching from the public footpath that passes by St Bega’s Church. It’s a bit confusing where to pay or show my Historic Houses membership from this side, so I would suggest some signage could be added, rather than the constant ‘Ticket holders only’ signs. I eventually realised I had to walk across the road to the tearoom. Otherwise there’s a lot to gain from visiting. I would say the lakeside trail is perhaps one of the best spots to access Bassenthwaite Lake. I say down on the little shingle beach to eat a packed lunch with a backdrop of Canadian geese gliding across the water. At the house no photos are allowed inside and to be honest it’s not spectacular enough for me to regret that. But as ever with these places there are some interesting stories hidden within the objects on display, and plenty of literary and poetry connections (Tennyson, Southey, Fitzgerald and Carlyle) as befits the Lake District. The gardens are small and not particularly impressive, although the overall landscaping (mix of fields, woodland, stream, and the poetry trail, alongside the beauty of the hills behind) add up.

I testing old house whose family had connections to Tennyson and Francis Bacon. Downstairs only but many interesting items. The walks in the grounds are also good. The Lakeside path is more a Woodland path for most of it but when you get beside the lake it is beautiful. The garden near the house is lovely and quiet with poems by David Scott at the end of the Poetry Walk; somewhere to sit and watch enjoy nature. The bee garden ( which is only accessible from the drive and not by the house) is worth a wander.